Friction controlled railway truck



Jan. 3, 1956 G. F.,A COUCH FRICTION CONTROLLED RAILWAY TRUCK 2Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 22, 1950 FIG.

Invenor: Glenn E Couch FIG. 2

his Attorney G. F. coUcI-l 2,729,173

FRICTION CONTROLLED RAILWAY TRUCK 5o 2 sheets-shea 2 Invenfor: Glenn ECouch l www@ SQ@ J wia,

Jan. 3, 1956 Filed June 22, 19

his Attorney United States ltatentF 2,129,113@ c FRECTION GONTRQLLEDRAILWAY RUCK ApplicationJune;22,1950, VSerialNo. 169,629-, 21- Clailnsl(Cl.` 1054-193)- This invention pertains; lo-A ftuck. and, moreparticularly to a friction CQDIlQlled typcfth'ereof.

An Object of the` inventionlis.iheinrovision in, a railway truck, of; animproved friction; unit capable of being inserted between a column of avside` frame and abolster and` arranged to snub averticalvmoyernentofthebolster while allowingI a relatively freetransverse movement of thebolster;

A further object of theinyention is.- to provide, in-` a railway truck,an improved side; frame haying a; column thereof forming aninterlockinglmediurn, fory a removable snubbing or frictionunit withthe` latterbeing so arranged and constructed to.V control frictionallya.` vertical movement of a bolster and permita` relatively f reehoweyerlimited transverse movement ofthe bolster. V

An` added object ofthe invention; is, to, provide, in a railway truck,an,v improved friction device,l removably secured to a side frame columnandi having one part thereof stationary relatiye toit sidey frameandanother part thereof arranged to moy syersely-,witha bolster and snubany vertical; movement .of the bolster- The above andnumerous'otherobjects,ofthe invention will become apparent from the.'succeeding detailed de scription considered together with the,illustrative form, of the invention shown inv the. accompanying,drawings,` wherein:

Figure lV is a partial elevational; and partial vertical sectional Viewof al railway truck4 embodying the, present invention. c

Figure 2 iS a horizontal- Ssctional. View takemalons the lines 2-2 ofFigure 1. looking inI the direCliQll of the arrows.

Figure 3 is an enlarged Centralleilsitudinal. vertical.. sectional view,taken-on the line 3 3 of, Figure 2;, look-ing in the direction of thearrows, i

Figure 4 is a partly inclined andt partly horizontal sectional viewtaken on the, bent line` 4.-4 of Figure 3, lookingin thedirection ofthearrows,

Figure 5 iS a detail; VertiQaL sectional View,4 taken` Qn the line 5-5of Figure3, looking in the;directionl ofthe arrows.

Referring now in detail to the various figures ofy the drawings whereinlike reference characters4 refer to like parts the numeral 1 isemployed@l designate, in a some.-r what general manner, arailway cartruclc embodying the present invention and of a sofcauedgsnubben eremailed type. The truck is comprised of a snide, fram `2` having orcompression member 3 a somewhat conventional top c c c c spacedvertically or upwardly Yfrom a tension or bottom member 4. These membersare tiedor joinedintegrally together adjacent intermediate portions'thereof by'vertically disposed, horizontally spaced, guide columns 5lto dene a bolster or window'opening therebetween. For convenience theguidecolumn'will` be hereinaftenreferred to as a column and only onequarter offsthe. railway truck will be hereinafteronsidered in d ti1.`'nceitf is clearly understood in theV artfcthataf `,is inadelupy of twoParallel tfallsylel/X .s2. flls; GQBES o spaced, longitudinally.

and intent of resiliently supportingfthe bolster.

2,72 9, 1 73 vlfatentetl Jan. 3, 1956 2,; longitudinally of the truck,and joined at or adjacent centers` thereof,` by a, bolsterA 7Accordingly,y a` detailed descriptiony of a quarter of the truck willsutilcce for a complete understanding of the present invention.

rlfhe, bolster,V functioning as,V a load carrying member,extendstransversely of thel truck and is interlockedrwith the side framebysmeansof lugsy 8, which overlap the columns in transverse spacedvrelation thereto in order to incorporate a degree offlexibility in thetruck by permitting a limited or predetermined lateralV or transversemovement ofthe side frames relative to thebolster. The pgs 8 outstandfrom an extremity9 of the bolster which is contained in anupper` area ofthe window opening and is seated on a nest ofjall coil,`bolstersupporting springs 1Y0y illustratedA diagrammatically.` The nestof springs occupies a lower area of` the bolster or window opening andis supported, in a removable fashion, by the side frame tension memberas is. usual in structures of the present type.

As previously indicated,` the truckof this application is of the snubbedor friction controlled type and this particular type of truck isprompted edge that with the use of a nest` of .all coil springs for supporting the bolster end these springs will, during certain truckspeeds, develop vibrations which will synchronize with externalYimpulsesv imparted to the truck in service. If unarrested this harmonicspring vibration and external` impulses will causel the springsrto beperiodically driven. solid causing sharp` blows to beA delivered to thebolster supported car bodyto defeat the entire purpose In ordertherefore to disturb otherwise harmonic actions of the nest of bolstersupporting springs there is built into this truck, separate and easilyremovable components which form parts of the truck proper. So` as,4 tofollow the teachings of thisapplication and enjoy themvastv improvementoffered thereby, only the, columns need be changed,

over and apart from otherwise conventionalV side frames` and, holsters.

Accordingly, each columnmay hayealower extremityl formed as desired andfor purposes of illustration may be comprised` of a transverseverticalwebl 11 having at its transverse edges, inboard and outboard anges 12 topresent a channel shape in horizontal section and a vertically directedpost or stanchion` 13 growing out of the tension member. The column postextends vertically for a predetermined or illustrated distancewhere itterminates in a horizontally directed or intermediate shelf, ledge orwall 14` preferably but not necessarily bifurcated as at 15. This shelfor ledge presents an upwardly exposed or directed, horizontallydisposed, supporting surface 16, the purpose and function of which willhereinafter be made apparent. For the presentv purpose it will suiiiceto state that the surface defines a lower extremity of a pocket, housingor casing 17 which opens upwardly of the side frame toward thecompression member and longitudinally of they side frame toward thebolster. Completing the housing or casing and particularly the upperportion of the column is a 4transverse backup, holding or bearing wall18 which has` its lateral edges mergingwith laterally andV verticallyextending substantially parallel inboard and outboard walls 1,9 and 19a,respectively. From a notedV thatV the bearing', inboardV and outboardkwalls all extend vertically or upwardly from an integral union with thesubjacent shelf or ledgeV to complete the upper extremity of the. columnand merge with the compression member to form substantially anV integralpartV thereof or a dependent therefrom. 'llreholdin'gV orbearing wall isdesirably formed of two partsy with' thel lower partf20 directed atY an.Qbliqaa anale relative. fa the shelf, and,v toward. a related satreraiiyof Iliesideframe and an. upper by the common know1.

reviewof the drawings it will be part 21 directed at an oblique or acuteangle relative to the shelf and toward the bolster opening. Thisarrangement, presenting a V-shaped or herringbone design when consideredin vertical section, permits the formation of a locking surface 22carried by the upper portion and facing inwardly and slightly downwardlytoward the supporting surface 16 or bolster or bolster opening. Also bydisposing the locking surface at an acute angle to the supportingsurface the vertical clear opening into the pocket, housing or casing isrestricted for the purpose to be hereinafter made apparent.

Removably associated with the pocket, housing or casing is a frictionunit 23 interposed between the column and bolster end. Numerous designsof friction units may be applied to the column pocket for accomplishingthe function intended, however, it is preferred, at the present writing,to form one part of the friction unit as a wedge 24. This wedge,positioned within the pocket, has a foot 25 provided with a horizontallydisposed, downwardly exposed surface 26 which bears directly upon or issupported by the shelf supporting surface. This relationship, therefore,functions as the sole means for mounting the friction unit in apredetermined elevation or preventing a vertical movement of thefriction unit relative to the column in a downward direction. The wedgefoot is directed upwardly or vertically from the shelf to formtransversely spaced side walls 27 positioned slightly inwardly of thepocket from the inboard and outboard walls thereof and the side Wallsare bridged by a rear or connecting wall 2S. The bridging or connectingwall, intermediate the height thereof, presents a sloping, outwardlydirected or exposed surface 29 which is coplanar and in intimate contactwith the housing locking surface. Accordingly the disposition andrelationship of the sur faces 22 and 29 is such that the wedge isrestrained against vertical or upward movement relative to the column.With this construction, as will be hereinafter noted, the wedge isenabled to be definitely and positively held to the column to become aremovable part thereof and capable of movement therewith in response toservice actions or forces.

As previously indicated the side frame executes, during service, amovement transversely of the truck relative to the bolster and thismovement is ofttimes called or classified by those skilled in the art towhich the invention appertains, as a transverse lateral motion of thebolster. However classified, it is of common knowledge that thereexists, in service, a relative transverse or horizontal movement of thebolster and side frame. Various schools of thought have grown upconcerning this movement with some of a firm thought that such movementshould be free or substantially unrestricted and still others of a iirrnthought that such movement should be arrested or prevented. Thisinvention follows substantially the teachings of the first theory tosuch an extent that a limited though slightly restricted relativetransverse movement between the side frame and bolster is permitted andprompted by the thought that since the side frame is subjected tolateral impulses some control over such impulse must be exercisedwithout allowing the full magnitude thereto to be transmitted to thebolster and reflected in the car body.

With the above as a background for a more complete understanding of theimprovement herein contained, it will be noted that the lower extremityof the bridging or connecting wall of the Wedge is bifurcated to presenta diagonally disposed cage 30 formed by a platform or base tiange 31 anda confining tiange 32 spaced therefrom and both joined at a common edgewith a related wedge side wall and intermediate the wedge by a tieiiange 33 (see particularly Figs. 3 and 4). The cage and necessarily therelated anges are disposed at an oblique or acute angle relative to thecolumn shelf and bolster and therefore may be considered as diagonallyarranged longitudinally of the side frame to be declining toward thebolster or inclining in a direction away from the bolster. The cage, forthe purpose of stability and positive action actually presents a pair oftransversely spaced or parallel races 34 which accommodate or formreceptacles for a pair of rollable, movable, or displaceable meanscharacterized by rolls 35. These rolls may be of any desiredconformation but for the present purpose it is preferred that they beformed as illustrated and thus, as true cylindrical bodies each of whichhas an axis parallel to and disposed to correspond with the dispositionof the cage above described. Each roll is positively confined within arace and is arranged to move within a limited restricted area, inboardor outboard in a direction transversely of the truck. The wedgeconfining flange is apertured as at 36 to allow the rolls to passtherebeyond and this flange also functions as a barrier as at 37 toprevent a diagonal movement of the rolls from illustrated position. Thisarrangement therefore allows a flight 38 of the rolls to be positionedfree of the confining cage.

Interposed between the bolster end and wedge is a shoe or frictionelement 39 having a somewhat triangular portion 40 positionedsubstantially entirely within the wedge. Growing out of the triangularportion and for all purposes forming an integral part thereof is avertically directed plate 41 having an inwardly exposed brushing face 42also vertically disposed and bearing directly against a vertical,outwardly exposed, rubbing face 43 carried by the bolster end in thewindow opening of the side frame. Accordingly, when the bolster movesvertically in response to external impulses, frictional forces will becreated on the contiguous brushing and rubbing faces to check, controlor retard any harmonic actions of the bolster supporting springs. Thetriangular shoe portion is disposed vertically, intermediate the heightof the shoe plate 41 and is comprised of a horizontal spring carrier 44which extends from its related plate, inwardly of the wedge for apredetermined distance where it merges with a diagonally disposed gussetiiange 45. This gusset iiange is provided with a crowned, arcuate orconvex wedging face 46 arranged to bridge and ride on the subjacentrolls and since this face is directed transversely of the truck and inthe same general diagonal direction as the rolls, any vertical ordownward load imposed on the shoe will result in a horizontal componentto press or urge the shoe against or toward the bolster for the purposeabove stated. It may be well to here state that the crowning of thewedging face is introduced in the association of shoe and rolls toaccommodate manufacturing tolerances as well as service movements andtherefore, insure at all times, a full surface bearing relationshipbetween the rubbing and brushing faces.

lt will be noted by referring particularly to Figures 3 and 4 of thedrawings, that the shoe is of less horizontal or transverse extent thanthe inside dimension of the wedge and this construction is followed orpreferred so that the shoe, in response to a relative transversemovement of the bolster and side frame, will move also transversely ofthe side frame, rolling, as is apparent, on the supporting rolls. Toassist in offering some resistance to such a transverse movement, a bed47 of each race is cupped or eoncavely formed so that, as the shoe ismoved transversely from its normal or central position as illustrated,the rolls will move outwardly toward the shoe and this roll action willresult in a slight lifting of the shoe from illustrated position.

As previously indicated a load, particularly of a substantial constantnature or magnitude, is to be applied to the shoe for the successfuloperation of the friction unit. For reasons to be made hereinafterapparent the load imposing means is incorporated in the friction unitand is characterized by a single coil spring 43 centrally disposedwithin the friction unit considered transversely thereof. It will beappreciated that various other types of load or force imposing means maybe substituted for the illustrated coil; springbutI the instrumentalityemployed herein is preferred.

The wedge side walls andrre'ar; wall merge, adjacent upper extremitiesthereof, into a top wall 49 having, depending therefrom into the wedge,a springcentering knob 50. Accordingly,l an upper extremityv of the coilspring bears upwardly or vertically against the wedge top wall and isprevented from becoming dislodged by the knob which extends partiallyinto the friction unit spring. Since this spring is. verticallydisposedits lower extremity bears upon the shoe spring carrier and isretained in operable position by means of agstud 5,1 which upstandswithin the coil spring from the springlcarrier in vertical alignmentwith the wedge knob. The friction unit spring therefore forms aseparable part of the friction unit and functions to urge the wedge andshoe apart in opposite directions. Transversely spaced triangular kneebraces 52 extend between the spring carrier` and its related portion ofthe plate 417thereabovefto eectively'reinforce the upper area ofthe-shoe.4 i

When trucks embodying the present; invention have been in service forsometimeand it becomes.V necessary to replacea part or parts of thefriction;uniti` due to wearor for any other reason, itgisto-be-noted;that-they trucks are usually distant from a shop wherespecial tools are available and may be employed'.V In; order to,Vfacilitate a removal of thel friction., unit, the side-frame. outboardwall 19a is provided with ,a pinch'opening-` 53 whichl is encroachedupon slightly by a relatedV bolster lug. By introducing a pinch bar(not/shownlintofthis pinchtopening the bolster can then, throughthenecessary lever action, be urged horizontally toward aI related. columnto force the shoe slightly inwardly and upwardlyr of the wedge from itsillustrated normalLposition. At a location above the pinch opening arealigned apertures 54 inthe outboard and inboard'walls and` thoseapertures are in horizontal alignment with pin` holes 55 formed, inthewedge side walls. When the bolster is moved horizontally toward thefrictionunitto urge the shoe upwardlyand inwardly as above eXplained,anapex 5,6"of a cored portion 57 of the shoe will expose moreofthepinholes. and then a pin (shown by dot and dash lines` in. the sectionalportion only in Figure` 3 as,58v)V can be threadedthrough the outboardaperture 54 andinto the pin holes;to bridge the side walls of thewedgeand hold; the shoe in elevated position. The aperture 54 intheinboard wall is present so that a tool (not shown) may be threadedtherethrough to push the pin 58 out of wedge-,shoe interlocking positionwhen desired. i i v A following of a similar procedure will also lockthe friction unit in the companion column outof. contact with thebolster. The bolster can` then. be jacked. upwardly away from itsbolster supporting springs and a removal of these last named springswillthen allow a lowering: of the bolster to the area normally occupiedbythe-bolster supporting springs. This abnormal relationship of partswill thenpermit a safe andfeasy removal` of the friction units from thecolumns aslocked removable assemblies.

From the above it will` b e notedl that various changes and alterationsmay be made tot thev illustrated. and described exemplification` ofV thepresent invention without departing from the spirit of this; inventionor scopeof the appended claims.

I claim: c

1. In a snubbed railway'truck of the? type-.having a side frame and amember movable vertically and transversely relative to said side frame,the combination of, a column in said side frame andhaving a horizontalsurface and an inclined surface forming an acutel angle therewith, awedge removably ,restrained against vertical movement relative to saidcolumn by said surfaces,` movablemeans carried by said wedge, a shoe,and' spring means'acting between said shoe and wedge: said shoebeingurged by -said spring means intov bearmgf engagement with: said 6movable means and frictional engagementy with.4 said member.

2. In a snubbed railway truck of the-typehaving aside frame and a membermovablevertically and transversely relative to said side frame, thecombination, of,.said side frame having a column carrying a horizontalshelf and an inclinedv wall presenting an acute angle therebetween,` awedge restrained against vertical movement relative to said column bysaid shelf and wall, rollable means carried by said wedge, a shoecarried by-said rollable means, and spring means acting between saidshoe and. wedge, said spring means urging said shoe against saidrollablemeans and into frictional engagement with said member.

3. In a snubbed railway truck of the typehavingaside frame and a membermovable vertically and transversely relative to said side frame, thecombination of, said side frame having a column carrying adjacent saidmember a horizontal shelf and an inclined wall', said/ shelf and wallincluding an acute angle therebetween, a. wedge restrainedagainst'vertical movement relative to said column by said shelf andwall, rollable means within said wedge, shoe means carried by saidrollable means, and spring means acting vertically between said wedgeland shoe means, said spring means urging said shoe means against saidrollable means and into frictional engagement with said member.

4. In a snubbed railway truck of the type having a side frame and amember movable vertically and transversely relative to said side frame,the combination of, a horizontal shelf and an inclined wall in a columnof said side frame, a wedge in said column restrained against verticalmovement in one direction by said shelf and in anl opposite direction bysaid wall, rollable means carried by said wedge, shoe means carried bysaid rollable means, and spring means acting against said wedge. andshoe means for urging said shoe means into frictional engagement withsaid member.

5. In a snubbed railway truck of the type having aside frame and amember movable vertically and transversely relative to said side frame,the combination of, a shelf and an inclined wall in a column of saidside frame and arranged at an acute angle to one another, a wedge insaid column restrained against vertical movement in one direction bysaid shelf and in an opposite directionby said wall, rollable meanscarried by said wedge intermediate a height thereof, a shoe carried bysaid rollable means,

and spring means acting oppositely on said wedge and shoe for urgingsaid shoe into frictional engagement with said member.

6. In a snubbed railway truck of the type` having a side frame and amember movable vertically andtransversely relative to said side frame,the combination of, a shelf and an inclined wall in al column of saidside frame and arranged atan acute angle to one another, a wedge in saidcolumn and held against vertical movement in one direction by said shelfand in an opposite direction by said wall, rollable means carried bysaid wedge and arranged for limited transverse movement relative to saidwedge, a shoe carried by said, rollable means, and vertically actingspring means between and acting oppositely on said wedge and shoe forurging said shoeV against said wedge and into frictional4 engagementwith said member.

7. In a railway truck of the type having a side frame and a bolsterarranged for vertical and transverse movement relative to said sideframe, the combination of, a horizontally directed shelf anda wall inl acolumn of said side frame arranged at an oblique angle to one another, awedge in engagement with said shelf and wall, said shelf restrainingvertical movement of said wedge in one direction and said wallrestraining vertical movement of said wedge in an oppositedirection,rollable means carried by said wedge and arranged fory limitedtransverse movement relative to said wedge and column, a shoe carried bysaid rollable means. and ver,-

tically acting spring means between said wedge and shoe for urging saidshoe along said rollable means into frictional engagement with saidbolster, said shoe being carried by said rollable means and wedged intofrictional engagement with said bolster.

8. In a railway truck of the type having a side frame member and abolster member arranged for relative vertical and transverse movements,the combination of, one of said members having a horizontally directedshelf and a wall arranged at an oblique angle to one another, a wedgerestrained against relative vertical movement in one direction by saidshelf and in an opposite direction by said wall, rollable means carriedby and movable transversely of said wedge, shoe means movably supportedby said rollable means, and spring means acting vertically on said shoemeans and reacting against said wedge for urging said shoe neans intofrictional engagement with said bolster member.

9. In a railway truck of the type having a side frame member and abolster member arranged for relative vertical and transverse movements,the combination of, one of said members having a shelf and a wallarranged at an oblique angle to one another, a wedge restrained againstrelative vertical movement in one direction by said shelf and in anopposite direction by said wall, rollable means movable transversely ofsaid truck and carried by said wedge, a shoe interposed between saidrollable means and other member, and spring means within said wedge andacting on said shoe for urging said shoe into contact with said rollablemeans and other member.

lO. In a railway truck of the type having a si le frame member and abolster member arranged for relative vertical and transverse movements,the combination of, one of said members having a shelf and a wallarranged at an oblique angle to one another, a wedge stationary relativeto said shelf and wall, said wedge being restrained against verticalmovement in one direction by said shelf and in an opposite direction bysaid wail, rollable means in said wedge and arranged for transversemovement relative thereto, a shoe movably carried by said rollablemeans, and spring spaced vertically from said rollable means and actingbetween said wedge and shoe for urging said shoe into frictionalengagement with said other member.

ll. In a railway truck of the type having a side frame and a bolsterarranged for relative vertical and transverse movements, the combinationof, a column of said side frame having a shelf facing vertically and awall facing substantially horizontally, said shelf and wall forming anoblique angle therebetween, a removable wedge restrained againstrelativo vertical movement by said shelf and wall, rollable means cagedin sai wedge, a shoe carried by said rollable means and arranged forlimited transverse movement thereon. and spring means within andreacting against said wedge and acting against said shoe for urging saidshoe into frictional cngagc ment with said bolster said shoe beingcarried by said rollable means and arranged for limited transversemovement, and being urged into frictional engagement with said bolster.

l2. In a railway trucl; of the type having a side frame and a bolsterarranged for relative vertical and transverse movements, the combinationof, a column of said side frame having a horizontally directed surfaceand an inclined surface forming an oblique angle ther between, a wedgecontacting said surfaces and restrained against any relative vertical moement thereby, rollable means carried by said wedge and having an axisan oblique angle to said horizontally directed suiace, a shoe carried bysaid rollable means, ant. spring means interposed between said wedge andshoe for urging said shoe into frictional contact with said bolster.

13. In a railway truck of the type having a side frame and a bolsterarranged for relative vertical and transverse movements, the combinationof, a column of said side frame having a substantially horizontal shelfand a wall disposed at an oblique angle thereto, a removable wedge insurface bearing relation with said shelf and wall and restrained therebyagainst any relative vertical movement, rollable means caged in saidwedge and having an axis disposed at an oblique angle to said shelf andwall, a shoe having an inclined face bearing upon said rollable means,and spring means within said wedge and acting against said shoe forurging the latter axially of said rollable means into frictionalengagement with said bolster.

14. In a railway truck of the type having a side frame and a bolsterarranged for relative vertical and transverse movements, the combinationof, a column of said side frame having a substantially horizontal shelfand a wall disposed at an acute angle thereto, a removable wedge bearingagainst said shelf and wall restrained thereby against relative verticalmovement, rollable means caged in said wedge and having an axis disposedat an acute angle relative to said shelf, a shoe movably carried by saidrollable means and having a vertically extending face in frictionalcontact with said bolster, and spring means within said wedge and urgingsaid shoe axially along said rollable means into said frictional contactwith said bolster.

15. In a railway truck of the type having a side frame and a bolsterarranged for relative vertical and transverse movements the combinationof, a column of said side frame having a lower horizontal shelf and anupper sloping wall, a wedge restrained against relative downwardmovement by said shelf and upward movement by said wall, a cage in saidwedge, rollable means conned in said cage and having an axis decliningtoward said bolster, a shoe bearing upon said rollable means anddirected thereby into frictional contact with said bolster, and springmeans acting against said wedge and shoe for urging said shoe axially ofsaid rollable means into said frictional contact with said bolster.

16. In a railway truck of the type having a side frame and a bolsterarranged for relative vertical and transverse movements, the combinationof, a column of said side frame having a shelf exposed upwardly and awall exposed longitudinally toward said bolster, a removable wedgeengaging said shelf and wall and restrained thereby against verticalmovement relative to said column, a cage in said wedge and openingtoward said bolster, movable means conned in said cage, a shoe having aninclined face bearing upon said movable means and a vertically extendingface in frictional contact with said bolster, and spring means forurging said shoe along said movable means into said frictional Contactwith said bolster.

17. In a railway truck of the type having a side frame and a bolsterarranged for relative vertical and transverse movements, the combinationof, a column of said side frame having a shelf at a plane below saidbolster and a sloping wall thereabove, a removable wedge held againstvertical movement by said shelf and wall relative to said column, a cagein said wedge and opening toward said bolster, said cage being disposedat an angle to said shelf, movable means confined in said cage, a shoeinterposed between said wedge and bolster, an inclined face on said shoebearing upon said movable means, a vertically disposed face on said shoein frictional contact with said bolster, and spring means spaced abovesaid shelf and acting between said wedge and shoe for urging said shoeinto said frictional contact with said bolster.

18. In a railway truck of the type having a side frame and a bolsterarranged for relative vertical and transverse movements, the combinationof, a column of said side frame having a shelf and a sloping wallthereabove, a removable wedge held against vertical relative movement bysaid shelf and wall, a cage in said wedge opening toward said bolsterand disposed at au oblique angle to said shelf, displaceable meansconfined in said cage, a shoe interposed between said wedge and bolster,an inclined face on said shoe bearing upon said displaceable means, avertically disposed face on said shoe frictionally engaging saidbolster, opposed spring seats on said wedge and shoe, and spring meansbearing against said spring seats for urging said shoe into saidfrictional engagement with said bolster.

19. In a friction unit arranged for association with a bolster and sideframe column, said column having surfaces disposed at an oblique angleto one another, the combination of, a wedge having surfaces engageablewith and disposed at an oblique angle corresponding to the angulardisposition of said surfaces of said column, a cage intermediate theheight of said wedge, displaceable means confined in said cage, a shoehaving a face inclined at an oblique angle to said wedge surfaces andbearing upon said displaceable means, a vertically disposed facearranged to contact frictionally said bolster, and spring means actingoppositely on said wedge and shoe for urging said shoe into saidfrictional contact with said bolster.

20. In a friction unit arranged for association with a bolster and sideframe column, said column having surfaces disposed at an oblique angleto one another, the combination of, a wedge having surfaces engageablewith and disposed at an oblique angle corresponding to the angulardisposition of said surfaces of said column, dis- 25 placeable meanscarried in said wedge and being disposed at an oblique angle to saidsurfaces, a shoe having a face bearing upon and substantially parallelwith said displaceable means, spring means urging said wedge and shoe inopposite directions, and means on said wedge and shoe enabling saidwedge and shoe to be locked together for maintaining said wedge,displaceable means, shoe and spring means in assembled relation.

21. In a friction unit arranged for association with bolster and sideframe members, one of said members having surfaces disposed at anoblique angle, the combination of a wedge having surfaces engageablewith and disposed at an oblique angle corresponding to the angulardisposition of said surfaces of said one member, displaceable meanscarried by said wedge, a shoe bearing on and wedged by said displaceablemeans transversely of said wedge, said shoe having a face disposedlongitudinally of said wedge and arranged to frictionally contact saidother member, and spring means disposed longitudinally of said wedge andacting oppositely on said wedge and shoe for urging said shoe into saidfrictional engagement with said other member.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS

